The National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) has released its fourth annual National Survey on Retention and Promotion of Women in Law Firms and the results are a mixed bag. On the up side, the compensation gap between male and female lawyers has shrunk, particularly among equity partners. On the down side, women continue to be extremely under represented on governing committees and on the list of managing partners. This year for the first time the survey also looked at revenue generation and found that women are also under represented on the lists of top rainmakers.
Last week Sullivan & Cromwell promoted five new partners, four of whom are women. The firm said policies aimed at recruitment and retention of female attorneys, such as maternity leave and flex time, were responsible for the growth in female partners.
Very to the point. It is pleasing to see that the compensation gap is diminishing, but hopefully qualified women in law can become represented in the higher ranks.